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Isolation Introspection – 11 April 2020

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:15-16

This is a great passage for our remembrance of the Saturday between Christ’s death and resurrection—surely the day more marked by despair than any other in history! Paul starts with the beautiful proclamation of the gospel: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” And praise him for that! This weekend is a time when we must slow down and really consider that reality. No matter what is happening in our world, whether government or disease or other turmoil threaten, the great enemies Satan, sin, and death are defeated by our Savior’s shed blood.

But, notice Paul’s emphasis in this passage—the fact that Jesus saved Paul. Paul, the “foremost” of sinners. And, according to Paul, Jesus had a very specific reason—so that Jesus’ “perfect patience” could be put on display as an encouragement to us.

Jesus has a reason for saving every soul. And yes, it is for his glory and for our good. But have you ever considered the practical and spiritual implications of your own salvation? Paul clearly had. If you are struggling to focus on the beauty of the coming Resurrection Sunday tomorrow, sit down and meditate on the ways that Jesus has used your salvation to grow his Kingdom. How is he glorified by your regeneration? How are you and others blessed by it?

The gospel is personal, and the gospel is intentional. Jesus saved you to fulfill his purposes for this earth. If you know some of those reasons, I believe that it will grow your appreciation for the cross and your thankfulness for your Savior’s sacrifice.

The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

Isolation Introspection – 10 April 2020

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

All of us who have been faithful in the church have developed ways to love and care for each other over the years. Perhaps you have certain friends you regularly get coffee with, or people who you help with chores and projects around the house. Maybe God has given you specific skills that you use to serve the body of Christ for a discount or pro-bono. Maybe you just love hospitality and are active in blessing your fellow church members with a good meal on a regular basis!


Those regular rhythms of love have been affected by this “new normal,” haven’t they? There are many things that we grew used to doing that we cannot do anymore—at least, not for now. That can be discouraging and disheartening, especially if you took great joy in the specific way you helped others! We have all had to learn new means of loving one another, and most of them are unusual to us and outside of our comfort zones.


This verse reminds us of two things: First, just because we can’t do what we are used to doing, doesn’t mean that we are released from the duty of Christian brotherhood. We need to be creative. Use the free time to think of new ways to love, care for, and encourage one another. Just because it’s new or different, doesn’t mean it’s bad! In fact, I firmly believe that the church will develop new, healthy patterns of life from this unprecedented situation. Let’s use this time to outdo one another in showing honor (Rom. 12:10). Second, we should not stop loving one another, just because it’s different or feels unnatural. If you’re not the biggest fan of Zoom Bible study, you still have to admit that it’s better than no Bible study! We should be expending every effort to love in whatever way we can.


I’m praying for Holy Spirit-infused creativity and perseverance for all of us, as we seek God’s glory in quarantine.

The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

Isolation Introspection – 9 April 2020

“When you come into the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I put a case of leprous disease in a house in the land of your possession, then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, ‘There seems to me to be some case of disease in my house.’

Leviticus 14:34-35

This morning, I was reading God’s commandments to Israel concerning cleansing homes from leprous diseases (exciting stuff, I know!). But, I was struck by the way God speaks of leprosy in Leviticus 14:34-35. Did you notice what God says about the source of the leprous disease?

It’s Him.

God himself inserts (he says literally, “I give” or “I place”) the disease in the house, according to his own word. Think about that, with regard to the disease currently ravaging our city, nation, and world. God controls every individual viral cell, and places them exactly where he wants them. That fact does not make the sorrow caused by Covid-19 any less acute, but it does make our perspective more clear. As those we know and love (any maybe even us personally!) deal with the effects of this pandemic, we do so under the watchful eye of a loving Father who designed these things to happen for his purposes. And, as we Christians know, those purposes are ultimately his glory, and our good (Rom. 8:28).

Pray for that perspective, and for the peace that comes from knowing that God directs this virus to do his will.

The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

Isolation Introspection – 8 April 2020

A MIKTAM OF DAVID. “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Psalm 16 (ESV)

Consider the author of this psalm—King David. Notice what he says in verse 6: “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”

Now, consider the life of King David. This man endured great hardship! He was chased by his father-in-law, betrayed multiple times by friends and family, and dealt with the heavy burden of leading Israel, to name just a few. But in his eyes, his life is blessed; and why? “I have a beautiful inheritance.” David was considering the fact that after this life, he would have a new and better life. The rest of the Psalm makes clear that he is looking forward to eternal life!

Finally, consider what God is doing in your life during these times of crisis. Do you have the same perspective; that, whatever evil may be occurring, ultimately you can endure because you have an eternal inheritance? I’m praying for that perspective today—for you and for myself!

The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

Isolation Introspection – 7 April 2020

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV)

This morning, I am dwelling on this exhortation from Paul, given to the Thessalonian Church as an encouragement for them to focus on the right things and not be distracted by their misconceptions about the future. How practical it is for us, right now! There are many we know who are in these categories: idle people, fainthearted people, and the weak. And most importantly, in our dealings with them, let us be patient. No one knows what God is doing in this time, but it is our duty to love appropriately (whether by admonishment, help, or encouragement), but with the Christlike attitude of patience.

Praying for God to give you a heart for those around you that beats to this rhythm.

The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!

2019 Trip Summary

Praise the Lord, we have returned home to America! After a week to recover from travel and get life back in order, we wanted to post some thoughts on our trip. Please enjoy!

Fellowship

More than anything else, the most enjoyable portion of the trip for all of us (excepting Arlo, perhaps) was the fellowship. The people of GraceLife London joyfully welcomed us in, pursued us, and took care of us on this trip. It was such a treat to spend time on Sunday at church and between services, on Wednesday night at the midweek Bible Study, and throughout the week for meals and fellowship.

GraceLife London does not fit the typical “London” mold of quiet, introverted culture. Our brothers and sisters in Christ were eager to get to know us, and to share their lives with us. We were blessed by their love, support, and genuine investment in our lives over this short time.

Ministry

By God’s grace, we had multiple opportunities to minister on this trip. Michael was able to teach at the chapel for the Hermenaeia Bible Institute on the Gospel in 1 John. The students concluded their first year of training going through a Bible Survey class taught by Pastor Adam.

Additionally, Michael preached three Sunday services over the two Sundays we were in London. This was a prime chance for him to get practice preaching to Christians at a real church service! The church graciously received him and provided him with helpful feedback as he continues to grow in his preaching abilities.

Michael and Vanessa also attended the midweek Bible Study on Wednesday night, were there was a discussion-based review of the sermons. Those present at the study engaged in encouraging discussion of the topics and really dug into application of the messages they heard on Sunday. It was a huge blessing to see how intentional the dialogue was!

Michael also spent time with Pastor Tom discussing various administrative elements of the church, getting an idea of how he’d be able to use his accounting and management training to bless GraceLife London in the future if the Lord allows us to pursue ministry in London.

Finally, all of us engaged in plenty of opportunities to disciple, counsel, encourage, and exhort one another while with church members and leadership. The incredibly open and graciously honest culture of the church allowed for moments of genuine investment in each others’ lives. Michael, Vanessa, and Kelli were all blessed with the opportunity to encourage and pray for our new friends in England.

Culture

Another major portion of the trip was trying to get a feel for what life in London and England looks like. We were able to live in an apartment only 5 minutes’ walk from the church, and took full advantage of the central location to practice living a life similar to what our life will be like if we go to London.

This meant taking the tube, buying groceries, and trying to get a buggy (“stroller” for you Americans) all around London. It was a fun challenge to undertake as afamily, and we learned a lot in a short time! While these things will certainly take some getting used to, we were encouraged to feel that they are not hurdles which we cannot manage. Praise God!

We also got to explore some fun sights and experiences around London, including Windsor Castle, the London Eye, and Harrod’s.

We were encouraged to spend one day at a beach town called Portsmouth with our dear friends the Rush’s, who joined us from Ivybridge. It was a blessing to get some fellowship (and fish and chips!) with them.

Summary

While much more can (and will!) be said, overall, we couldn’t be more thankful for this trip. In many ways, the trip went as well as it possibly could have, praise God. We feel that we had a genuine chance to see what life would be like and get the necessary time with the leadership of GraceLife London, to continue to move forward and see what God has planned for us in London, if anything.

For those of you who supported us—both in prayer and financially—thank you so much! We are so blessed by your support. Please pray as we continue to work with the elders of GraceLife London and our sending church to see what the next steps will be in coming months.

Stay tuned!

Love, the Dionne’s

2017 Trip Summary

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William Carey is a famous missionary whose work in translation of Scripture was instrumental in India. Carey was involved with the Baptist Missionary Society’s founding in 1792. One of the members of the society, Andrew Fuller, had said, “There is a gold mine in India; but it seems as deep as the centre of the earth; who will venture to explore it?” “I will go down,” responded William Carey, in words never to be forgotten, “but remember that you must hold the rope.”

Missions is a joint effort of the sent and the senders, and as we pray about the possibility of going to England long term, we are incredibly thankful for the prayers and support of you all! This post serves as a summary of how God used your prayers and support in our lives on this trip.

We are so thankful for the Lord’s provision of our trip to England this summer. God used this trip to help us get a much better idea of the culture and needs of the church in England.

When visiting the more traditionally English areas, like Dover and York, we were able to see how unique the culture of England is. The English are (rightfully) proud of their nation, history, and culture. As Americans, we need to show respect for the same if we hope to have fruitful ministry in the lives of the English. Just as you would take careful time and effort to learn the language and culture if moving to a country in Europe, Asia, or Africa, the same effort must be shown when moving to England. It is different than America!

We also got a taste of the multicultural urban centers of England in Leeds, Birmingham, and London. While these places are English, the presence of many other cultures and immigrants made our American-ness less of an issue. We felt more “at home” in these areas!

We concluded that, at this time, England needs ministry from people who are ready to do a bit of everything: preaching, counseling, discipling, teaching, and equipping. The church culture of America, which allows for specialization in the larger churches, does not happen in England. Thus, Michael will need to focus on a well-rounded education in seminary if he wants to be the most useful.

Finally, we saw and heard about the huge Gospel needs that England has. Many people who have grown up in England have little to no understanding of the gospel and need to be evangelized.

For now, we need to be faithful to continue to do ministry in the US, focus on seminary work, and continue to pray about the opportunity to do ministry in England. The trip wasn’t a defining moment which determined our calling, but rather a clarifying time which encouraged us to continue forward as we discern God’s calling. At this time, the path still seems to be pointing to England, and so we will continue to pursue it unless God makes something else clear!

Thank you, for your prayers and support. Lord willing, Michael will return during the summers to continue to build relationships and spend time in the country. We look forward to seeing what God has for us! Thank you for holding the rope!

Love, the Dionne’s